MSP demands a better deal for Northern Constabulary police

Commenting after today’s reports that nearly two-thirds of Scotland's police stations no longer provide a round-the-clock manned service and that only 14 out of the 74 police stations in the Northern Constabulary area are manned 24hours, Conservative Highlands and Island MSP Jamie McGrigor said:

“I appreciate that many of the remotest stations will not have a permanent police presence, however I would be interested to know what hours they are manned and what effect that has on local crime and anti-social behaviour levels.

“Communities across the Highlands and Islands want the reassurance of a local police presence in their area, especially when they’ve experienced crime amongst Highlands and Islands’ 14-16year olds rise 24%1, and total crime up in the Constabulary’s area rise 8%2.

“The Northern Constabulary area already has the lowest number of police officers employed per 1,000 of population, with only 2.52 officers for every 1,000 people. With such a large and dispersed area, and with so many remote communities to cover, it is imperative that the Scottish provides the Northern Constabulary with the support its excellent officers need to do their difficult job.

“Crime and anti-social behaviour blights so many communities across the Highlands and Islands. It’s time for the pretendy tough talk from the Liberal Democrat/Labour Executive in Edinburgh to stop, and the proper funding of our local police to start”.

MSP welcomes Scottish Beef back onto Europe’s tables

Conservative MSP Jamie McGrigor has described today’s lifting of the beef ban as a massive boost for local farmers

The Highlands and Islands MSP said he hoped the move would help the industry re-establish its world class status and exports worth £130 million per year before the ban.

Jamie McGrigor said “The lifting of the beef ban represents a step forward for the Scottish Beef industry and is a most welcome decision for beef farmers across the Highlands and Islands.

“The Scottish beef industry has faced many pressures in the past, and I hope the lifting of the ban will help the industry to re-establish its important world class status once more and regain the £130 million market”

“Government figures for the estimated income for Scottish farms during 2005 reported a reduction from £19,800 to just £13,100 average income for farmers.

“I hope that the lifting of the beef ban will see farm incomes increase again and see the future of the industry across the Highlands and Islands secured”.